Compassion and Ingratitude.

165

unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream.

1 Kings 3: 5-15.

CXLI.

Compassion and Ingratitude.

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him a hundred. pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and

besought him, saying, Have patience with me and I will pay thee all.

And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

Then his lord, after he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to his tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Matt. 18:23-35.

CXLII.

Personal and National Virtue Brings Prosperity.

For if ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour; if ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt; then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.

Jer. 7:5-7, 23.

Finite as compared with Infinite. 167

Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people; and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto

you.

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth; for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

Jer. 9:23-24.

It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. O Lord, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.

CXLIII.

Jer. 10:23-24.

The Finite as Compared with the Infinite.

How should man be just with God?

If he will contend with him,

He cannot answer him one of a thousand.

He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength;

Who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?

Which removeth the mountains, and they know not;

Which overturneth them in his anger;

Which shaketh the earth out of her place,

And the pillars thereof tremble;

Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not;

Which alone spreadeth out the heavens,
And treadeth upon the waves of the sea;
Which maketh Arcturus, Orion and Pleiades,
And the chambers of the south;

Which doeth great things past finding out;
Yea, and wonders without number.

Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not:
He passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him?
Who will say unto him, What doest thou?

How much less shall I answer him,

And choose out my words to reason with him? Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not

If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong;

And if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead? If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn

me:

If I say I am perfect, it shall also prove me per

verse.

Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul:

For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer

him,

And we should come together in judgment.

Neither is there any daysman betwixt us,

That might lay his hand upon us both.

Job 9; 2-12, 14-15, 19-21, 32.33.

In the Last Days.

Canst thou by searching find out God?

169

Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do?
Deeper than hell; what canst thou know?

The measure thereof is longer than the earth,
And broader than the sea.

CXLIV.

In the Last Days.

Job 11: 7-9.

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in : behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.

But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

And I will come near to you to judgment: and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn. aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.

Mal. 3: 1-5.